The first human approach to deflect a moving asteroid into space was a success! Last night, the #DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) probe hit #Dimorphos, the 160-metre diameter celestial body chosen by #NASA for the experiment in the frame of #HERA mission.
HERA is the European contribution to an international double-spacecraft collaboration NASA/ESA for #planetarydefense. The target is a #binaryasteroid system, the #Didymos pair of near-Earth asteroids. #OHBSystem AG is the mission’s Prime Contractor, #OHBItalia as subco. is responsible for system engineering as well as for the entire power generation/distribution subsystem.
NASA on Monday night performed a #kineticimpact on the smaller of the two bodies with DART. In 2024, the HERA spacecraft will then provide a high-resolution visual, laser and radio post-impact #survey of the observed body to build detailed maps of its surface and internal structure.
These fundamental data will allow, for the first time, the validation of the impact process at asteroid scale as repeatable planetary defense to #safeguard the future of our #Planet.
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#success #data #engineering #future #impact #earthprotection
